Finishing Strong

Friends:

Let me extend my sincere appreciation to the scholars who decided to exhaust the notion of a Pentecost rapture this year.

Although this window of opportunity has since expired, in retrospect, this certainly was an exciting dress rehearsal. The bigger point can be made, that anytime we get this generation to dwell on the Blessed Hope, the elect stands to benefit from it.

Before idling this site though, I also didn't want to miss the chance to encourage visitors to keep looking-up. The Lord's return and the rapture that precedes it were promised to the generation living at the time Israel was reborn in 1948.

And by my best estimate, we can now place a not-to-exceed marker in the month of September, 2010, for the rapture of the Church. I arrive at this date through the following assumptions:

1) God's prophetic time-clock (for approaching Daniel's 70th week) resumed its countdown in May of 1948

2) This basis year, combined with the most popular reckoning for the length of a generation (i.e. 70-years) now points to 2018

3) And if the remaining Jewish Feast Days also prefigure actual prophetic milestones, the Fall of 2017 will figures prominently

4) Last, if the rapture of the Church precedes the tribulation by 7-years, between now and September, 2010 frames the remaining window

So to keep this time frame foremost in our thinking, a count-down timer has been established. Please see:

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=9&day=29&year=2010&hour=11&min=11&sec=11&p0=110

I anticipate that if our estimates are on target, we will rapidly see world events spiral toward what I'll describe as undeniable endtime developments. With this in mind, as the day approaches, I invite you to join me in redoubling our efforts to reach our world for Christ.

God's speed...

Roy Tanner

Second Chance at the Second Coming?

Breaking News: A Rapture Alert is underway through Sunday, June 7! Please revisit links posted last week for updated information.


Commentary

What is it in the human psyche that causes us to deride and put down what we don’t understand? And when it comes to those of us who have the moxy to engage in predictive prophecy, well let’s just say that a level of criticism awaits you, that will make even the most stalwart personality wilt. Especially, should we miss an event regarding Christ’s return (e.g. May 31, at 9AM), count on some ribbing, versus being accorded honor as a sage of the ages.

Today’s post however, goes where even angels fear to tread by suggesting we may still be on for a meeting in the air this weekend. And in the process of doing so, we delight in keeping the blessed hope foremost in everyone’s thinking (especially those whose have a penchant for prognostication), as we dispel a few common misconceptions of friends and family.

(Click on images for better fidelity)

Criticism of “watchers” usually takes the form of incredulity from unbelievers who would label you a “prophet of doom,” even though this popular misconception is refuted in Scripture’s description of a world without end. And then there’s the “nominal” Christian’s qualm with the “loons” who interpret the Bible literally. Never mind that we’re rational adults who simply acknowledge that 25% of Scripture is devoted to the prophetic, and more than 50% of this has already come to pass. Last, even within evangelical circles, we'll also be branded “date setters,” or one who presumes to deduce what supposedly can’t be known, even though faithful servants will don crowns in eternity for peering into the mysteries of God, longing for discernment regarding the Lord’s return.

For example, one of the most compelling and widely held theories related to dating the rapture deals with the rebirth of Israel in our generation, as a necessary milestone for timing the start of Daniel’s 70th week (culminating in the Day of the Lord). And while exhausting all the possible permutations for timing can be tedious work, a simple method of estimate merely starts with the state of Israel’s founding in May of 1948, and then adds back the length of a generation (e.g. 70-years), to arrive at a not-to-exceed date (which in this case would be 2018). And once an end date is determined, it follows that a pre-tribulation rapture event simply precedes this by at least seven-years.



That said, many basis years and generational epochs could also be used for calculating potential fulfillment dates. But rather than ridicule estimates that have come and (uneventfully) gone, true watchmen and women of God instead gain encouragement, knowing that it’s through the process of elimination that subsequent estimates only gain more strength in terms of probability. And again, of particular interest this year was the brilliant confirmation that the day of Pentecost should be counted as part of a subsequent 7-day feast period, which this year culminates on June 7th.



So I ask, what harm comes from postulating end time theories, as long as they are based on sound exegesis and doctrine? Especially if it inspires a sense of urgency for the task of evangelism, or compels us to lead lives of personal holiness, why not look for the Lord’s appearing (daily)? As for me, prophecy was the proof that a hardened skeptic required, before I would surrender my life to Christ (at age 33). The notion that only God knows the end from the beginning, and that only the Bible contains predictive prophecy, are two of the means the Holy Spirit uses to illumine my faith today.

Rather than derision though, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who invest the sweat equity necessary to complete their due diligence. Clearly, this marks you as one of God’s faithful servants, and a crown of righteousness awaits all those who love His appearing. In the final analysis, we don’t need to be extended another chance at timing the second coming of Christ, because looking carries its own reward. And greater than second chances, is our need of a Savior. So keep looking for the return of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Roy Tanner

May 31st Rapture Watch!

(Note: Click on images for better fidelity)

Friends:

If you haven’t already made your plans for the weekend, you're cordially invited to consider these upcoming events!

To those who know me as a business analyst, I’m also a student of history and biblical prophecy buff. That said, I wanted to share geo-political news feeds and Internet chatter that may be of interest to you.

Apparently, there’s a ground swell of interest developing in favor of a near-term (May) Pentecost rapture event. This theory is also combined with a confluence of Middle-East developments and scientific research data.

Taken together, a plausible case can be made for contemplation in advance, for better preparation. Provided below, please see a subset of the links that discuss the possible rapture of the Church by 5/31!

While I personally believe we’re within an 18-month window of a rapture event, this research is compelling:

• http://watchforthelord.com/index.htm


• http://gracethrufaith.com/selah/holidays-and-holy-days/pentecost-and-the-rapture-of-the-church/


• http://pub48.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=4086901292&frmid=13&msgid=848107&cmd=show


• http://www.lookupfellowship.com/2009/05/pentecost-rapture-yes-look-up.html


• http://kingdomengineers.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/pentecost-revisitedprophetic-picture-of-the-rapture/


• http://sharonsrose.blogspot.com/2009/05/twenty-little-known-facts-about.html


• http://www.rogershermansociety.org/pentecost.htm


• http://philologos.org/bpr/files/h005b.htm

Whether this is an accurate assessment of where we are in prophetic history remains to be seen. That said, every plausible estimate provides us another opportunity to assess individual readiness.

While only God knows the end from the beginning, reward awaits those who look for his appearing. In the final analysis, a choice is presented to us all: ride-out the coming storm or be party to the blessed hope.

In Him,

Roy Tanner